Linear Setup Practice Drill

[aweber218]

Hello. I have a question about #2, page 86 in the 2015 edition, in the Linear Setup Practice Drill. This concerns the interpretation of the 2nd rule: "The Akita must be shown exactly two places before the Doberman."

I would notate this as "A __ __ D." However, the answer (on page 94) indicates that this should be notated as "A __ D."

To try to reconcile this, I thought of wording for other circumstances. For example, I would expect the rule of "The Akita must be shown exactly one place before the Doberman." to be notated as "A __ D." By your interpretation, however, "The Akita must be shown exactly one place before the Doberman" would mean the same thing as "The Akita must be shown immediately before the Doberman."

Can you help me reconcile this please?

Thank you,
Anne

[Ron Gore]

Hi Aweber,

Consider that there are five places, 1 through 5. The place that is exactly one place before 5 is 4. Consider it this way: 5 - 1 = 4.

The notation "A _ _ D" indicates that there are two variables between A and D. For example, "A B C D".

Take the notation "A _ D" and count forward from D. From D to the blank space is 1, and from the blank space to A is 2. So, A is two spaces before D.

Please let us know if this helps.

Thanks,

Ron